A family of 12 members had a narrow escape after a major fire broke out in a four-storey house in the Rajghat police station area of Mirzapur on Monday morning. It is suspected that a short circuit in an air conditioner on the third floor caused the fire, which spread rapidly, gutting a room and triggering panic in the neighbourhood.
Officials said all 12 members of the family managed to escape safely after rushing downstairs on noticing the fire. Locals immediately alerted the police and fire brigade, following which teams from Golghar fire station reached the spot and doused the flames.
Rishabh Kashyap, a resident who runs a dry fruits business, said the fire started around 8 am in the window AC unit on the third floor and quickly engulfed the room. Chief fire officer Santosh Kumar Rai said that it took nearly two hours to bring the fire under control.
The incident has raised concerns about electrical safety in residential buildings. Authorities have urged residents to regularly check their electrical appliances and wiring to prevent such incidents. No casualties were reported, and the family is currently staying with relatives.
